Monday, 4 June 2018

Holland 1944

I have the pleasure of hosting a game at our local mini convention. We have settled on WWII in general and Market Garden with Bolt Action in particular. One of the players came up with the scenario idea and I put together 2 platoons at about 750 pts each. I do not own as many troops as the suggested OoB asked for but I have used what I have to get a game. The scenario has 5 objectives, one in the middle of the board at the crossroads that lead to Arnhem bridge and 2 objectives in each deployment zone. The winner will be in possession of 3 or more objectives at the end of the game.

Crossroads near Arnhem

British Paratroops and supports

German Counter attackers

Newly minted BAR USA

Para Piat and 2" mortar team

Saturday, 2 June 2018

The Road Less Travelled

I started a new terrain project on Monday. I bought some paint spill canvas 15x12, acrylic caulking and some paint. I want to paint a game mat blatantly stealing the method used by Ross at battlegameofthemonth blog. I also wanted to make some flexible roads that were bigger scale and more modern then the ones I have.

I put the caulk in a bucket and added grey craft paint and water. I smeared this in a 4x3 hunk of canvas. I let it set for about 4 hours and then rolled a textured rolling pin over the top to give it a cobblestone look. In hind sight, I should have let it set longer but it was bed time and I did not want it to set overnight I let this set for another two days. I cut them into 4"x12" strips with one 4 way stop 12"x12". I did not do any curves for simplicity and because at that scale, it is not unreasonable to have a straight stretch of road. I then painted with light grey and white highlights. A wash of black/brown was added and the edging received some flock. I gave them a seal coat of water down PVA to hold everything in place. Pictures are fuzzy but I am very happy with the results.

I may get to host a game at our local game day con in a week. Next post may include a newly minted game mat for the occasion.

Friday, 1 June 2018

Battle and Inspiration

I played a game of Bolt Action the other night with a new opponent. My local game store is hosting Historical Tuesdays Gaming night. This was my chance to meet new players and recruit the GW crowd away form the Dark Side, toward the light of historical miniature gaming. I played a local fellow who proved to be an affable and able opponent. We set up and fought the game in about three hours. I played German veterans from Stalingrad and my opponent played American veterans. Historical opponents if from different periods of the war.

Sherman tank immobilized by ATG fire

Tank Duel

Germans skulking in the woods

The battle seesawed back in forth with a desultory exchange of fire between Sherman and PAK 38 50mm ATG. There was a decisive moment on the German left flank where my Germans failed to pass an order test and charge an exposed unit of US Rangers. They were charged instead and wiped out. A fun game and the rules came easily and did not get in the way of the fun. I was assisted by a young fellow of about 10yrs age, who drew order dice and commanded the ATG.

Table overview

ATG and target

I plan to make this event a regular stop and hope to meet a new batch of gamers and opponents

Tuesday, 29 May 2018

New Swag

I let go of the purse strings a little bit when I went to Huzzah. I also had a fair amount of luck at the raffle table. I bought Eric the latest D&D 5th Ed book

He was very happy with this and he had his nose in the book for the bulk of the rest of the weekend...

I visited the Things From The Basement stall. Georg had developed a nice set of 15mm versions of his 28mm buildings. I bought the whole set with a plan to make thatched roofs for the WWII Eastern Front games and the stock roofs for ACW and Napoleonics. An excellent addition to my Terrain pile once they are built. I bought some library shelves furniture in 28mm for my D&D game. Built and primered. I will need to make books/potions and Scrolls to stock the shelves.

I bought some Mage Knight figures. Mostly Centaurs featured in my last post but also a cool dwarf Warrior, elven Ranger and mechanized guy to use as a golem or something.

I also bought a PIAT and knee mortar to flesh out my British Paratroopers. These are on my painting table half done, along with 4 US BAR gunners.

I bought a 28mm Pz4D that was 3D printed. I have already painted it and it is featured in my last post. Tonight is the first action in a bolt action game vs the US. I showed it to my wife. We have been talking about getting a 3D printer. She was excited by the quality of it and we are a step closer to investing in one. I also bought a die cast Sherman. It is big compared to my other 2 Shermans but for $10 painted, I am happy with it.

I bought Sam Mustafa's Rommel rules. This is a division level game system. Good reading. Not sure I will ever play it...

I tried to buy something at the bring and buy but in the end left with only 50 painted and based Saracen spearmen and archers. These were free!

Now for the raffle loot!

I bought $15 worth of raffle tickets and acquired all you see below. 2 expansions for Command and Colors Napoleonics - Spain and Austria. I have spoken to my buddy Zack who can use them in his collection.

Osprey book and an old school modeling book

Yorktown model 1/700

Basic Wings of War with 4 planes

I was sad to miss the last draw as I left early enough to stay awake for the 11 hour drive home. I am looking forward to next year and will definitely GM a game.

Monday, 28 May 2018

Huzzah Highlights

I had the pleasure of attending HuzzahCon last weekend. My boy and I made the 22 hour drive,return trip, but had a great time. I played 2 games of Dragon's Rampant, a game of DonnyBrook that was based on the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and a game of Wings of War. There was lots of eye candy and enough vendors to drain my Visa nicely. Swag report on my next post. Here are some pics from various games...

Cassino with Bolt Action